EMT Lesson Plans

Chapter 20: Psychiatric Emergencies

National EMS Education Standard Competencies

Medicine Applies fundamental knowledge to provide basic emergency care and transportation based on assessment findings for an acutely ill patient.

Psychiatric Recognition of

 Behaviors that pose a risk to the EMT, patient, or others (pp 704, 706–710)  Basic principles of the mental health system (pp 702–703)  Assessment and management of  Acute psychosis (p 708)  Suicidal/risk (pp 708–709)  Agitated delirium (pp 709–710)

Knowledge Objectives 1. Discuss the myths and realities concerning psychiatric emergencies. (p 701) 2. Discuss general factors that can cause alteration in a patient’s behavior. (p 701) 3. Define a behavioral crisis. (p 702) 4. Understand the magnitude of mental health problems in society. (pp 702–703) 5. Understand the main principles of how the mental health system functions. (pp 702–703) 6. Describe the two basic categories of diagnosis that a physician will use. (p 703) 7. Discuss special considerations for assessing and managing a behavioral crisis or psychiatric emergency. (pp 703–708) 8. Define acute psychosis. (p 708) 9. Define schizophrenia. (p 708) 10. Describe the care for a psychotic patient. (p 708) 11. Explain how to recognize the behavior of a patient at risk of suicide, and discuss the management of such a patient. (pp 708–709)

12. Define agitated delirium and describe the care for a patient with agitated delirium. (pp 709–710) 13. Discuss the medical and legal aspects of managing a psychiatric emergency. (pp 710–712) 14. Describe methods used to restrain patients. (pp 712–713) 15. Explain the safe management of a potentially violent patient. (pp 713–714)